Capsule with integrated piercing member

ABSTRACT

The present invention proposes a capsule for containing beverage ingredients. The capsule includes a sealed ingredients compartment, an inlet face, an outlet face, and an opening member which is positioned at the inlet face outside the compartment and which is provided with piercing members directed towards the ingredients compartment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of production ofbeverages or other liquid comestibles on the basis of the ingredientscontained in a capsule. In particular, the invention relates to such acapsule comprising an integrally formed piercing member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The background of the present invention is the field of capsules whichcontain beverage or other comestibles ingredients. By means of aninteraction of these ingredients with a liquid, a beverage such ascoffee, tea or other comestibles, such as for example soup, can beproduced. The interaction can be based on the principle of extraction ofa beverage substance, the mixing or the dissolution, in presence of aliquid diluent such as water.

The capsule of the invention is more particularly adapted to containground coffee in order to produce a coffee beverage by injecting hotwater under pressure into the capsule and obtaining a coffee beveragefrom the capsule.

Systems and methods for obtaining fluid comestibles from substancescontaining capsules are for example known from EP 512 470 A.

The principle of the extraction process as described in the prior artcan be summarized as follows.

An initially sealed capsule is inserted in a dedicated chamber of thesystem in which water injection means are provided which enable water tobe provided to the capsule, e.g., by injection. In the chamber,dedicated opening means are provided which generate at least one openingin a first wall of the capsule. Accordingly, water entering the capsulethrough the opening in a first wall is made to interact with ingredientscontained in the capsule while traversing the interior of the capsuleand is then made to leave the capsule through at least oneopening/perforation created in a second wall of the capsule. As a resultof the interaction between water and the ingredients in the capsule, abeverage or other comestible can be produced.

The capsule can be gas-tightly closed before use to ensure the freshnessof the ingredients within a given shelf life. The capsule can also justform a closed but not necessarily a gas-tight enclosure and be packed ina gastight package individually or in group.

Therefore, the capsules can be closed by, at least, liquid-impermeablewalls, preferably liquid- and gas-impermeable walls, at least one ofwhich is pierced only during use, for injection of water, for example,when the capsule is introduced in the device.

In the known beverage preparation devices, the capsule is pierced byintroduction of a piercing member which is foreign to the capsule, i.e.the piercing member is provided at the beverage preparation device. Ingeneral, an outer wall of the capsule is pierced by introducing thepiercing member in the outer wall. Accordingly, a liquid can be injectedinto the capsule through the holes or apertures generated in the outerwall of the capsule.

However, the known embodiments suffer the disadvantage that certaincapsules can be difficult to pierce in a repeated manner. Especiallywith capsules comprising plastic walls, the material can be relativelydifficult to pierce and the piercing members of the device may becomeblunt relatively rapidly. Therefore, new capsules can no longer bepierced and the beverage preparation device has to be returned to aservice or maintenance station for repairing or replacing the piercingmembers.

Moreover, the piercing means of the known devices only provide a singleinjection pattern in the capsule. It is therefore not possible to varythe manner the liquid is injected into the capsule, such as the numberof holes produced in the body of the capsule, the direction of theinjection, the depth of the injection, etc., unless a specific injectioncommuting system as described in WO 2005/020768 is provided at thedevice which however can be more complex to produce.

The known devices further suffer the disadvantage that when the capsulesare removed from the device, the piercing members of the devicedisengage from the capsule at the same time. As a result, large holes inthe capsule provide a potential leakage from beverage residues such ascoffee solids. A known solution for this problem is the provision offilter means in the capsule which prevent the exit or draining of suchresidues such as proposed in EP 1 165 398. However, this solutionrequires the provision of an additional element in contact with thebeverage ingredients within the ingredient compartment of the capsule.Therefore, the additional element must be made of a food grade andusually inert material. The filter must also be sealed on the innersurface of the capsule and therefore be compatible in sealing with thematerial of the body of the capsule. Accordingly, it is relativelydifficult to find a corresponding material fulfilling all the requiredfeatures.

Another disadvantage of the prior art opening means is that the piercingmember generally comes in contact with the ingredients provided withinthe capsule when piercing a wall or a face of the capsule. This isparticularly disadvantageous for certain ingredients such as infantformula for which it is necessary to clean or sanitize the piercingmember after each cycle such as described in PCT/EP08/057,979.

WO 2006/030461 relates to a capsule which comprises a piercing elementturned upwards in direction of an outer membrane. Hence, the piercingelement is facing the outer membrane of the capsule from inside.Accordingly, piercing of the membrane of the capsule is obtained byfluid pressure which presses the membrane against sharp elementsprovided within the capsule. However, this solution has severaldrawbacks. In particular, the membrane may easily be ruptured byaccident. Hence a user may hurt him/herself due to the sharp protrudingpiercing members facing the exterior of the capsule. Moreover, if themembrane is pierced before use of the capsule, this may cause a rapiddegradation of the ingredients.

The present invention therefore aims at providing a solution to theabove-described problems. The invention also aims at other objects andparticularly at providing solutions to other problems as will appear inthe rest of the present description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention proposes a capsule forcontaining beverage ingredients comprising a sealed ingredientscompartment, an inlet face and an outlet face, the capsule furthercomprising opening means which are positioned, at the inlet face,outside the ingredients compartment and which are provided with at leastone piercing member directed towards the ingredients compartment.Preferably, a plurality of piercing members directed are provided forpiercing the inlet face and having a size sufficient to extend into theingredients compartments to facilitate entry of the liquid therein.

A capsule according to the present invention can be used in conjunctionwith a dedicated beverage preparation device or beverage system in orderto enable a beverage preparation by interaction with liquid, provided inthe capsule, and the beverage ingredients; the interaction taking placewithin the ingredients compartment of the capsule. Thereby, the openingmeans with at least one piercing member provided outside of theingredients compartment of the capsule enables a piercing actuation by adedicated actuation member of a beverage preparation device.

With a capsule according to the present invention, a reliable openingmechanism for each capsule can be provided as the opening means areformed as a part or parts of the capsule. Accordingly, even capsulesmade of materials which are difficult to pierce such as those ofplastics, e.g. polypropylene plastics, can effectively be pierced as thepiercing member is only to be used once and is therefore not subjectedto wearing effect.

It should be understood that the capsule can comprise opening means ofdifferent designs depending on the type of ingredients contained in thecapsule and/or on the beverage to be produced from the capsule. Hence,it is possible to adapt the piercing mode to the type of ingredients inthe capsule and/or beverage to be produced. Accordingly, the versatilityof the system can be increased.

The opening means of the capsule can be held within at least one recessprovided in the body of the capsule. In a mode, the recess is an annulargroove protruding inside the ingredients compartment of the capsule.Accordingly, the mechanical guidance of the opening means can be assuredby means of the capsule itself without need for external guiding means.Furthermore, the opening means is at least partially hidden in thecapsule for avoiding accidental/manual piercing of the capsule. Itshould be noted that the recess may as well be of different geometricalshape suitable for housing opening means according to the presentinvention. Moreover, more than one recess may be provided at the capsulefor housing the opening means.

The recess for housing the opening means can be covered by a membrane ora dedicated cover member in order to hide the piercing member.Therefore, the risk of accidental opening of the capsule can be furtherreduced.

Due to the fact that the opening means, including the at least onepiercing member, are provided outside the compartment and within arecess of the capsule, dedicated actuation means of a beveragepreparation device to be used with the capsule can be maintained out ofcontact of the ingredients housed within the compartment. Accordingly, amore hygienic system can be provided and cross-contamination of thebeverages to be prepared can be effectively prevented.

The opening means are preferably movably arranged within the annularrecess. In a possible mode, the opening means is initially securedwithin the recess. In this regard, the opening means is connected withinthe recess by press fitting or clipping. Furthermore, a dedicatedsupport or at least one position member can be arranged within therecess of the capsule to support the opening means. Accordingly,unnecessary movement of the opening means during transportation of thecapsule is effectively prevented due to the connection of the openingmeans within the recess.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening means is configured in the recessin a manner to slide upon a certain pressure being exerted on theopening means, e.g. by a mechanical means provided at the device to beused in conjunction with the capsule. Accordingly, it is possible toprovide an actuation member at a dedicated beverage preparation devicewhich is suitable to exert a predefined force or pressure onto theopening means in order to overcome the frictional forces of thepress-fitting arrangement supporting the opening means within the recessof the capsule and hence, move the opening means towards the ingredientscompartment and pierce the ingredients compartment by means of thepiercing means of the opening means.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening means is a piercing elementcomprising at least one piercing member formed as a part which ispreferably of different material than the body of the capsule. However,the opening means and the capsule may as well be formed of the samematerial.

The body of the capsule is preferably made of injected or thermoformedplastic such as PP or PA, or metal. In particular, plastics such as PPwith one or more gas barrier layers (e.g., EVOH, metal) can be used.

The opening means are preferably made of hard plastics such as PP, PET,Polycarbonate or PA, or metal. Hence, effective piercing of the capsulebody respectively the ingredients compartment is enabled by the piercingmeans.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening means comprise a base ring andpiercing members formed of several piercing blades or spikes. Thereby,the piercing blades or spikes can be of variable shape suitable forpiercing the ingredients compartment of the capsule depending on thematerial and/or thickness of the capsule to be pierced and/or desiredwater injecting pattern. Accordingly, holes or apertures of differentshapes and cross sections can be created in the ingredients compartmentthrough which liquid can be injected. Furthermore, the base member ofthe opening means can be formed as a partial or full ring with thepiercing members spaced along the periphery of the partial or full ring.

The opening means can be made of a monolithic piece or of several pieceswhich are inserted in the recess of the capsule. In particular, thepiercing means can be formed of a crown-shaped base portion providedwith piercing members such as several blades or spikes.

In another mode, the opening means may comprise several arc-shapedsegments which comprise piercing blades or spikes and which aredistributed in the recess of the capsule. Thereby, resurgence of solidresidues exiting the piercing holes generated at the inlet face of thecapsule due to the opening means is blocked by the crown-shaped portionor arc-shaped segments of the opening means which close the recess orgroove even after removal of the capsule from the device. Hence, coffeegrounds or liquid can effectively be prevented from resurging from theinjection holes when the capsule after use.

The opening means may further comprise inner flow channels forestablishing a dimensionally controlled liquid flowpath between theinlet face of the capsule and the ingredients compartment. Accordingly,liquid provided from the device at the inlet face of the capsule can beeffectively injected in the ingredients compartment according to a morecontrolled injection pattern via the inner flow channels.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner flow channels comprise outletapertures which are designed to direct liquid provided to the flowchannels in the ingredients compartment. Accordingly, it is possible toinfluence the liquid distribution inside the ingredients compartment ofthe capsule and thus, to adapt the liquid distribution to the nature ofingredients provided within the capsule and/or the beverage to produce.For example, the flow channels can be arranged to be essentiallyperpendicular to the capsule axis and the outlet apertures are arrangedto direct the liquid in the channels in at least one radial directionrelative to the channels for mixing with the beverage ingredients in thecompartment.

In a possible mode, the inner flow channels are designed with outletapertures which are distributed to direct the liquid injected into thecompartment in at least one radial direction relative to the maindirection of the channels. Accordingly, liquid can be distributed in theingredients compartment more homogeneously across the whole crosssection of the compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening means comprise valve means whichis designed to open or close the inner flow channels of the openingmeans or the recess of the capsule as a response to a pressure and/orforce being exerted thereon. In particular, the valve means can be aone-way valve such as a rubber elastic sealing gasket which opens whenthe piercing member is pushed or pressed down and/or water is injectedin the recess and which closes the recess or channels when the pressureon the opening means is released. As a result, significantly less or noliquid is released from the capsule when it is removed from the beveragepreparation device after use.

Preferably, the opening means of the capsule are designed to interactwith dedicated mechanical or physical actuation means provided by adedicated beverage preparation device to be used in combination with thecapsule according to the invention. Accordingly, a simple and efficientopening mechanism of the capsule is provided.

After use, i.e. after the preparation of the beverage, the capsule isdisposed with its dedicated opening means. Therefore, no cleaning orsanitizing of the piercing member is required. This is particularadvantageous for sensitive ingredients, e.g. milk or infant formula.

The capsule according to the invention can contain ground coffee, groundcoffee, tea, herbal tea, cocoa, chocolate, milk powder, soup,nutritional ingredients like infant or toddler formula, etc.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system forpreparing a beverage from a food substance contained in an ingredientscompartment of a rigid capsule by injection of a liquid into thecapsule, the system comprising a device which has at least one enclosingmember connected to a closing mechanism for selectively enclosing thecapsule in the receiving chamber of the device, the device furthercomprising a liquid reservoir, a pump connected to the liquid reservoirfor supplying liquid to the receiving chamber, and dedicated actuationmeans connected to the enclosing member for actuating the opening meansprovided at an inlet face of the capsule, wherein the opening meanscomprise piercing means directed towards an ingredients compartment ofthe capsule.

Moreover, the device according to the invention comprises a control unitfor controlling at least the operation of the pump of the device and aheating unit connected to the liquid reservoir and the pump of thedevice. Accordingly, heated pressurized liquid can be provided to thereceiving chamber of the device and thus, to the capsule enclosed by theenclosing member.

Preferably, the actuation means of the device comprise a pushing memberbeing designed to actuate the opening means of the capsule. Inparticular, the pushing member is designed to engage in an annularrecess of the capsule in which the opening means of the capsule areinserted. Thereby, the pushing member is designed to exert a pressure onthe opening means in order to have the ingredients compartment of thecapsule pierced.

The pushing member can be a member arranged fixedly at the enclosingmember of the device to exert a pressure when the enclosing memberengages the capsule in the receiving chamber of the device. However, thepushing member may be as well engaged by a separate actuation afterenclosing of the capsule by the enclosing member.

The pushing member has preferably a cylindrical shape which engages inthe annular recess of the capsule.

In a possible embodiment, the pushing member has a cutting or piercingedge to be able to pierce or cut capsules of the prior art, i.e.capsules which have no opening means according to the present invention,e.g. aluminum capsules.

In another possible embodiment, the opening means of the capsule arepushed by effect of a fluid exerting a pressure from outside of thecapsule onto the inlet face of the capsule. Hence, no mechanical pushingmember is necessary to enable an interaction of the device and theopening means of the capsule. The actuating fluid may be a gas such ascompressed air and/or a liquid such as pressurized hot water.

Moreover, the beverage production device may as well comprise a capsuleholder comprising one or more puncture elements, e.g. a network ofpyramids in order to tear a foil member provided at the outlet face ofthe capsule as described in EP0512470.

In an alternative embodiment, the capsule itself comprises liquiddelivery opening means such as described in EP1604915.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention willbecome apparent for a skilled person when reading the following detaileddescription of the embodiments of the present invention, when taken inconjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.

FIG. 1 a shows a preferred embodiment of a capsule according to thepresent invention in sectional side-view, in which the opening means arein their original position.

FIG. 1 b shows the capsule according to FIG. 1 a, wherein the openingmeans pierces an outer wall of the ingredients compartment.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of opening means according to thepresent invention in perspective side-view.

FIG. 3 a shows a sectional side-view of the opening means according toFIG. 2.

FIG. 3 b shows another preferred embodiment of the opening meansaccording to the present invention in sectional side-view.

FIG. 4 a shows an enclosing member of a beverage preparation deviceaccording to the present invention in sectional side-view.

FIG. 4 b shows the enclosing member according to FIG. 4 a, wherein theactuation member of the enclosing member of the device is interactingwith opening means of the capsule according to the invention.

FIG. 5 a shows a preferred embodiment of a pushing member of a deviceaccording to the present invention in a perspective side-view.

FIG. 5 b shows a preferred embodiment of a pushing member being equippedwith blades and suitable for opening prior art capsules having analuminum or plastic body portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 a shows a sectional side-view of a capsule 1 according to thepresent invention which comprises a rigid body 2, an inlet face 3 a andan outlet face 3 b. Preferably, the inlet face 3 a and the rigid body 2are formed as an integral part of the same material. The rigid body 2can be made of plastics by injection molding for example. Moreover, therigid body 2 and the inlet face 3 a can be made of metal such as forexample aluminum.

The outlet face 3 b is preferably made of a thin aluminum foil sealed tothe body of the capsule 2 at the outer rim portion 6 of the capsule. Dueto the outlet face 3 b being sealed to the capsule in an airtightmanner, a hermetically sealed capsule is obtained.

The capsule body 2 and the outlet face 3 b enclose an ingredientscompartment 11. Therein, ingredients, such as coffee powder (e.g., roastand ground coffee), tea and/or milk powder can be contained in thecompartment.

At the inlet face 3 a of the capsule, a recess 5 is provided whichprotrudes inside the ingredients compartment 11 as can be seen in FIG. 1a. Preferably, the recess 5 is of annular form, e.g., with a U-shapedcross section, and is concentrically arranged to the rotational axis Zof the capsule 1.

The recess comprises an inner wall 5 a and an outer wall 5 b which arearranged concentrically to each other at a distance b. Accordingly, therecess 5 is of a predefined width b. Preferably, the values for thewidth b lie in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 cm.

Moreover, the recess 5 comprises a lower bottom portion 5 c which isarranged with respect to an upper edge 5 d of the recess at the depth d.Preferably the values for the depth d are within the range of 0.3 to 1.5cm.

The inner side wall portion 5 a, the outer side wall portion 5 b and thebottom portion 5 c of the recess 5 are formed as integral parts of thecapsule body 2. Thereby, the bottom portion 5 c of the recess 5 may beof a thinner thickness than the rest of the body of the capsule or mayhave localized weakening areas. However, preferably, the body of thecapsule 2 is of the same thickness and hence, the side wall portions 5a, 5 b and the bottom portion 5 c are preferably of the same thicknessas the rest of the body 2 of the capsule.

Inside the recess 5, capsule opening means 4 are housed. Thereby, theopening means 4 are preferably complementary formed to the recess.Accordingly, the opening means 4 are arranged concentrically to thecentral axis Z of the capsule 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the opening means 4 is preferably formed as anopening member having a ring- or crown-shaped base portion which isprovided with a plurality of piercing members 4 b suitable for piercingthe bottom portion 5 c of the recess 5 and thus, suitable for piercingand accessing the ingredients compartment 11 of the capsule.

In its original position, the opening means 4 are guided by the sidewalls 5 b and 5 a of the recess such that the motion of the openingmeans 4 with respect to the capsule body 2 is guided in a directionparallel to the axis Z of the capsule. Accordingly, the opening means 4are preferably slidably arranged within the recess 5.

However, the opening means 4 may as well be press-fitted into the recess5 such that the motion of the opening means 4 with respect to thecapsule body 2 is only obtainable by a pressure being exerted on theopening means 4 to overcome the friction forces between the openingmeans 4 and the recess 5.

In the preferred embodiment, the inlet face 3 a of the capsule may becovered by an additional membrane 24 (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) whichpreferably particularly covers the recess 5 of the capsule 1.Accordingly, a tamper-evident cover is provided to the capsule 1. Hence,a user may be able to see if a capsule has already been used or if theinlet face has been damaged.

The opening means 4 preferably comprise a plurality of inner flowchannels 4 c which are provided in the piercing members and which extendto the base ring portion 4 a of the opening means. Thereby, the innerflow channels 4 c are connected to outlet apertures 4 d provided at thepiercing members 4 b of the opening means. For instance, the apertures 4d are directed radially relative to the direction of the flow channels.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the opening means are arranged withthe piercing members 4 b in direction of the bottom portion 5 c of therecess 5 and thus, towards the ingredients compartment 11 of the capsule1.

It should be understood that the opening means 4 may be made to slidewithin the recess 5 by a force being exerted thereon suitable toovercome the frictional forces between the opening means 4 and the sideportions 5 a and 5 b which are due to the opening means 4 being pressfitted in the recess 5.

Therefore, dedicated actuation means may be provided at a device to beused with the capsule, which are able to exert a force onto the openingmeans 4 in a direction parallel to the central axis Z of the capsule 1.It should be understood that such dedicated actuation means of a devicemay be any mechanical or physical means suitable for interacting withthe opening means 4.

Hence, in case the opening means 4 are moved relatively to the body 2 ofthe capsule 1 such that the bottom portion 5 c of the recess 5 ispierced by the piercing members 4 b of the opening means 4, the piercingmembers 4 b protrude into the ingredients compartment 11 as shown inFIG. 1 b. Accordingly, the outlet apertures 4 d of the piercing means 4b are protruding into the ingredients compartment 11 and thus, liquidprovided to the recess 5 is able to flow through inner flow channels 4 cof the opening means 4 to the ingredients compartment 11.

It should be noted that the piercing members 4 b of the opening meansmay as well be designed to comprise no inner flow channels 4 c.Accordingly, the opening means are only designed to pierce the bottomportion 5 c of the recess 5 and thus the ingredients compartment 11 incase a force or pressure is exerted thereon. Hence, the liquid providedto the recess 5 by a dedicated beverage preparation device bypasses theopening means and flows through the apertures of holes created in thebottom portion 5 c by the piercing means 4 b into the ingredientscompartment.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the opening means 4 in perspective sideview. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the opening means 4 comprises theopening member having a ring- or crown-shaped base member 4 a and aplurality of protruding blades or spikes 4 b.

It should be understood that instead of a single crown-shaped basemember, the opening means 4 may as well comprise at least two arc-shapedbase elements 4 a which are equipped with blades or spikes 4 b.

The outlet apertures 4 d of the piercing members 4 b are preferablyprovided through the side portions of the spikes 4 b as can be seen inFIG. 3 a. Accordingly, water introduced at the inner flow channels 4 c,can be redirected by the outlet apertures 4 d and can thus bedistributed in a predefined manner within the ingredients compartment 11of the capsule 1. Thereby, the diameter of the outlet apertures 4 d andthe inner flow channels 4 c can be dimensioned accordingly in order toinfluence the pressure of the liquid injected to the ingredientscompartment 11.

It should be understood that the amount of inner flow channels 4 c andthus, the amount of spikes or blades 4 d provided at the base ringportion 4 a can be varied in order to provide a dedicated injectionpattern for different capsules containing ingredients of differentnature.

As shown in FIG. 3 a, the ring-shaped member 4 a is of a predefinedwidth t, which is preferably slightly larger than the width d of theannular recess 5 of the capsule 1. Accordingly, a press fitting of theopening means 4 within the recess 5 is obtained. Moreover, after use ofthe capsule 1, the base ring-shaped member 4 a closes the recess 5,preferably, in a liquid-tight manner. Hence, no resurgence of liquidand/or solid residues such as coffee particles through the pierced holesor apertures at the inlet face of the capsule occurs.

It should be understood that different opening means 4 can be providedin the recess 5. Hence, the injection parameters can be adapted tocertain needs.

FIG. 3 b shows another preferred embodiment of the opening meansaccording to the invention. Therein, the inner flow channels 4 c are ofdifferent shapes, e.g., triangular shapes. Moreover, the outletapertures 4 d formed in the blades 4 b comprise a thicker opening at alower portion of the opening means than at the upper portion thereof.Accordingly, a different injection pattern can be realized.

It should be noted that the inner flow channels 4 c and the outletapertures 4 d may be of different geometrical form and size in orderenable an improved injection pattern.

FIG. 4 a shows a preferred embodiment of an enclosing member 10 of abeverage preparation device to be used with the capsule according to theinvention. Thereby, the enclosing member 10 comprises a bell-shapedreceiving chamber 13 which is preferably complementary formed to thebody 2 of the capsule 1.

The enclosing member 10 is preferably connected to a closing mechanism(not shown) of the device for selectively enclosing a capsule in thereceiving chamber 13 of the device. In particular, as illustrated inFIG. 4 b, the closing mechanism enables a relative movement of theenclosing member 10 and a capsule holder 17 of the device in order toenclose the capsule 1 in the receiving chamber 13.

At a lower portion of the enclosing member 10 sealing means 16 areprovided in order to interact with the rim portion 6 of the capsule 1and the capsule holder 17 in order to enable a fluid-tight sealingengagement of the capsule 1 during the enclosure of the capsule as shownin FIG. 4 b.

At an upper portion of the enclosing member 10, actuation means 12 areprotruding into the receiving chamber 13.

The actuation means 12 may be a static protruding pushing member whichis suitable to engage in the recess 5 of the capsule 1 during therelative movement of the enclosing member 10 and the capsule 1. However,the actuation means 12 may as well be connected to a connection member14 which is in turn connected to a lever mechanism of the device (notshown) and which is suitable for enabling a relative movement of theactuation means 12 and the enclosing member 10. In particular, theactuation means 12 may be an actuation member preferably of cylindricalshape suitable for engaging in the annular recess 5 of the capsule 1provided to the enclosing chamber 13.

Moreover, the device preferably comprises a liquid reservoir, heatingmeans, such as an inline heating device, and a pump which are connectedto liquid supply channel 15. The liquid supply channel 15 is connectedto the enclosing member 10. Hence, heated pressurized liquid canselectively be provided to the receiving chamber 13.

FIG. 4 b shows the enclosing means 10 of FIG. 4 a, wherein a capsule 1according to the present invention is provided to the bell-shapedenclosing chamber 13. Thereby, the enclosing member 10 assumes a closedposition, i.e., the lower sealing portion 16 of the enclosing member 10is pressed against the capsule holder 17. Thereby, the rim portion 6 isenclosed there between as shown in the figure. Accordingly, thereceiving chamber 13 housing the capsule 1 is sealed in a fluid-tightmanner.

Due to the relative movement of the enclosing member 10 and the capsuleholder 17, the protruding pushing member 12 is engaged within the recess5 of the capsule, thereby exerts a downwardly acting force onto theopening means 4 supported therein. Accordingly, the opening means 4 arepushed towards the ingredients compartment 11 of the capsule 1 in orderto puncture the lower portion 5 c of the recess 5 to open thecompartment 11 for enabling liquid to be supplied in the compartment.Thereby, the complementary shape of the receiving chamber 13 and thecapsule body enable a correct positioning of the pushing member 12 withrespect to the recess 5 of the capsule 1.

As shown in FIG. 5 a, the thickness t1 of the cylindrical shaped pushingmember 12 is preferably slightly lower, e.g. 10 to 20% lower, than thewidth b of the recess 5. Accordingly, blocking of the recess 5 due tothe pushing member 12 is prevented. Hence, liquid injected into thereceiving chamber 13 may easily bypass the pushing member 12 in order tobe injected into the ingredients compartment 11 by means of the holes orapertures generated therein.

After the generation of holes or apertures in the ingredientscompartment 11 of the capsule, liquid under pressure is injected intothe receiving chamber 13 by means of the liquid supply channel 15.Hence, pressure is build up within the receiving chamber 13 which leadsto the injection of liquid into the capsule 1 by means of the recess 5and the inner flow channels 4 c provided in the opening means 4. Theliquid injected into the ingredients compartment 11 is therefore made tointeract with the ingredients provided therein. Due to the pressure-risewithin the capsule, the outlet face 3 b of the capsule is pressedagainst a relief 18 provided at the capsule holder 17. Accordingly,openings are produced in the outlet face 3 b of the capsule 1.

Hence, when a sufficient pressure of liquid has been built up inside thecapsule 1, the beverage produced due to an interaction between theinjected liquid and the portioned ingredients provided within theingredients compartment 11 can be drained from small interstices 19provided between the relief members 18.

It should be noted that the opening means 4 of the capsule 1 can beprovided with a one-way valve such as a rubber seal which opens when thepiercing member is pushed or pressed down and/or water is injected intothe recess and which closes the recess or holes when the pressure on thepiercing member is released. Accordingly, no liquid is released from thecapsule when the enclosing member 10 is disengaged from the capsule 1.

In addition, it should be understood that instead of a static orvariable displaceable actuation member 12, the opening means 4 providedin the recess 5 of the capsule 1 may as well be actuated by the pressureof water being exerted thereon. Hence, no dedicated actuation member 12has to be provided at the device side of the system.

FIG. 5 a shows a preferred embodiment of the pushing member 12 accordingto the present invention. The cylindrically shaped pushing member 12 ispreferably connected to a connecting member 20 which enables theconnection of the pushing member 12 to the enclosing member 10 of thedevice. Thereby, the connecting member 20 comprises several outwardlybended portions 21 which engage by press-fitting in complementaryrecesses provided in the receiving chamber 13 (not shown). Thereby, thepushing member can be fixed in the receiving chamber 13 more easilyduring manufacture.

FIG. 5 b shows another preferred actuation member 12 to be connected toa prior art device suitable for piercing an inlet face 3 a of thecapsule 1. Thereby, piercing blades 22 protrude from a base plate 23 toa predefined length L and hence, when connected to the device, theblades 22 protrude into the receiving chamber 13 of the device.

Such an actuation member 12 is particularly suitable for piercing priorart capsules made of plastic and/or aluminum. Moreover, such anactuation member 12 enables an interaction with opening means 4 of thecapsule 1 according to the present invention since the protruding blades23 are designed to engage within the recess 5 of the capsule 1 andhence, exert a force on the opening means 4 in order to pierce theingredients compartment 11.

Although the present invention has been described with the reference topreferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and alternations maybe made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe scope of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.

1. A capsule for containing beverage ingredients for the preparation ofa beverage by injection of a liquid into the capsule, comprising: asealed ingredients compartment containing beverage ingredients; an inletface dedicated for injection of liquid into the capsule to form abeverage from the beverage ingredients; an outlet face dedicated fordelivery of the beverage; and an opening means which is positioned atthe inlet face outside the ingredient compartment and which comprises abase member having a shape designed for contacting the inlet face andprovided with a plurality of piercing members directed towards thesealed ingredients compartment for piercing the inlet face and having asize sufficient to extend into the ingredients compartments tofacilitate entry of the liquid therein.
 2. The capsule according toclaim 1, wherein the base member of the opening means is formed as apartial or full ring with the piercing members spaced along theperiphery of the partial or full ring.
 3. The capsule according to claim2, wherein the base member comprises at least two arc-shaped baseelements.
 4. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein the base memberof the opening means is formed as a full ring with the piercing membersspaced equidistantly along the periphery of the full ring.
 5. Thecapsule according to claim 1, wherein the opening means is housed withina recess of the body of the capsule.
 6. The capsule according to claim5, wherein the recess is an annular groove protruding inside theingredients compartment of the capsule.
 7. The capsule according toclaim 5, wherein the opening means is configured and arranged to bemoveable within the recess.
 8. The capsule according to claim 5, whereinthe opening means is initially secured within the recess bypress-fitting or clipping but is designed to be movable when a certainpressure is exerted thereon.
 9. The capsule according to claim 1,wherein the base member and piercing members are formed as an integralcomponent.
 10. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the base membercomprises a base ring and the piercing members are piercing blades orspikes arranged in spaced relation about the periphery of the base ring.11. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing membersinclude inner flow channels for establishing a fluid connection betweenthe inlet face of the capsule and the ingredients compartment.
 12. Thecapsule according to claim 11, wherein the piercing members furthercomprises outlet apertures which are designed to direct liquid providedto the flow channels into the ingredients compartment.
 13. The capsuleaccording to claim 11, wherein the flow channels are arranged to beessentially perpendicular to the capsule axis and the outlet aperturesare arranged to direct the liquid in the channels in at least one radialdirection relative to the channels.
 14. The capsule according to claim11, wherein the opening means comprises a valve which is designed toopen or close the inner flow channels as a result of the pressure orforce being exerted thereon.
 15. The capsule according to claim 1,wherein the capsule is a sealed capsule and the body of the capsule ismade of plastic or metal.
 16. A system for preparing a beverage from afood substance contained in a ingredients compartment of a rigid capsuleby injection of a liquid into the capsule of claim 1, the systemcomprising: a device having at least one enclosing member connected to aclosing mechanism for selectively enclosing the capsule in a receivingchamber of the device; a liquid reservoir; a pump connected to theliquid reservoir for supplying liquid to the receiving chamber, anddedicated actuation means connected to the enclosing member foractuating the opening means of the capsule.
 17. The system according toclaim 16, wherein the actuation means of the device comprises a pushingmember which is designed to engage in an annular recess of the capsulein which the opening means of the capsule are disposed due to a relativemovement of the capsule and the enclosing member.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the actuation means of the device isdesigned to exert a pressure onto the opening means of the capsule bythe effect of liquid under pressure being provided to the inlet face ofthe capsule.